Re: Choosing a project watch

On Thu, 29 Dec 2005 19:12:24 -0500, Paul Raposo <paulmr_ca@xxxxxxxx>
wrote:


>Thanks for the input, Frank. It will be my first repair and I would hope it
>goes well and I guess a watch that doens't need too much work, would make that
>hope come true.
>
>I did bid on the Elgin. If I get outbid, the NY Standard will be the next
>choice. Is it easy to find replacement levers for the lever set movements?
>
It will probably be not too hard to source bits on your side of the
pond, but keep in mind that finding new parts will not get any easier
for these things.
The most common parts are the first to disappear. These will be
complete balances, pallets, long pinion third and fourth wheels. Here
in Oz even balance staffs are impossible to get for most Elgins and
Walthams and havign them made is a pretty penny(A80.00 trade, last
time i bothered).
If i was buying, i'd make sure the balance is in good condition. Not
just the staff, but the hairspring and to a lesser extent the wheel
itself. The levers do not really get too much of a beating, unless the
watch was mishandled; and if so, it's likely the balance will also be
broken.

You mention interchangability elsewhere. Bwahahaha ! Let me climb back
up on the chair.. ;-p
Even models from the same brand rarely have parts interchangable, let
alone different makes. Especially on older stuff like that.
It is possible that you may be able to use the odd pallet staff or a
pinion out of one pocket watch to fit another, but it will be merely a
fluke and it will probably need some jewel shifting or other
"underground" work to make them fit.. So, forget about that idea. :)

--

Regards, Frank
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Choosing a project watch
    ... >>Thanks for the input, Frank. ... Is it easy to find replacement levers for the lever set movements? ... i'd make sure the balance is in good condition. ... > watch was mishandled; and if so, it's likely the balance will also be ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Interesting remark on tourbillons
    ... although the nice thing about positional adjustment is that it guards ... >> the variety of different positions that the watch is in throughout the ... > wound, at a relatively even temperature and on my "wrist tourbillon", it ... >> by simply making the balance larger. ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Determining balance wheel amplitude visually
    ... When the balance reverses, the cross arms stop for a millisecond and so ... a dirty mainspring, which can be checked by pushing the mainspring barrel ... The reason I took the watch in was that even though the movt was barely ... I would just wear it. ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Real horological question about watch gaining time
    ... If the watch were magnetized, ... Removing the balance cock assembly and sloshing it around in some naptha ... The coils don't appear to be sticking together any more. ... I saw a kitchen clock in an antique store that had been "worked on ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Mainly OT - human joint supplements?
    ... Watch yourself in the mirror, ... I noticed pain in my left knee. ... But no supplement will cure a joint issue unless you also balance the ...
    (rec.equestrian)
Loading